Page 3208 - Week 11 - Wednesday, 21 September 1994
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I think most of your comments were directed to the principle rather than the detail. We are seeking to provide better guidance and protection to practitioners who are working in this field every day. The latest edition of Australian Medicine, reporting on a major AMA euthanasia conference, said that the collective view of that conference - I do not know whether it was a substantive resolution - was that doctors have concern. Perhaps they do not want active euthanasia laws; but a lot of doctors are saying in this other area, "We are doing it every day. We are doing it constantly in the hospitals, constantly in nursing homes, and some guidance or some protection would be of great assistance".
MR STEVENSON (11.31): A fair bit has been said about Rita Marker. As I mentioned earlier and as Mr Moore mentioned, we went along to the presentation that she gave in Canberra.
Mr Moore: It was at the National Library, was it not?
MR STEVENSON: Yes, I believe so. I found it compelling. I had previously heard Spencer Gear debate with Mr Moore. Most people who were present believe that Spencer won that debate. I felt that Rita Marker went into a whole new field when it came to presenting details, facts and figures. She certainly did not do it in an aggressive manner. She did it in a most reasonable manner. For that reason, when Mr Moore was given the opportunity to comment on some of the points that she had made and with which he obviously disagreed at the time, he did not take the opportunity.
Mr Moore: Do you remember what I said when I explained it?
MR STEVENSON: I remember.
MADAM SPEAKER: Mr Stevenson, please focus your remarks on the amendment. This is the detail stage. You should be focusing on the amendment, not carrying on a personal debate about what Mr Moore did or did not say.
MR STEVENSON: That is a good point; but he did say that he was there to listen, not to make comments. When someone brings up points that you feel are not correct, you do not always get an opportunity to have a say in public. Some people would prefer you not to have a say. There was a perfect opportunity for Mr Moore then to show how his arguments weighed up against some of Rita Marker's. It was a perfectly reasonable environment, and he could have had all the time in the world. I think it was unfortunate that he did not take that opportunity.
MADAM SPEAKER: Mr Stevenson, you have just repeated what I asked you not to do. Would you please talk about the amendment that is before us.
MR STEVENSON: I am sorry, Madam Speaker. I did not mean to cause any concerns.
MADAM SPEAKER: Please continue.
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